Dental material delivery system

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a dental material applicator system comprising a segmented capsule and handpiece. The capsule separately holds a powder and a liquid such that upon activation in the handpiece by an operator, the powder and liquid are mixed into a paste. The operator then triggers the handpiece so that the mixed paste is extruded.

BACKGROUND

The process known in the prior art including activation of the capsule,transferring the capsule to the amalgam mixer, mixing the capsule,removing the capsule from the amalgam mixer and loading the capsule intoa human powered dispensing device is laborious and time consuming andsometimes requires the help of a dental assistant. In some cases, theuser requires up to three separate pieces of equipment to carry out thisprocedure. It is therefore the intent of the present invention, tocombine these steps into an easy to use handpiece and capsule systemthat performs each of these functions and eliminates the need totransfer the capsule to individual devices for activation, mixing anddispensing.

SUMMARY

Described herein is automatic powder/liquid applicator and capsule(APLA), collectively referred to as a delivery system, intended toreplace the traditional amalgam mixer and powder/liquid dental capsulesfor mixing and dispensing powder/liquid dental materials such as cementsand restoratives. The APLA delivery system consists of a new capsule andhandpiece that are used in combination to activate, mix and apply thematerial contained in the capsule without the laborious need to transfera capsule between several devices to accomplish the same result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual rendering of such a device and capsule.

FIG. 2 outlines the functional aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 shows that the handpiece establishes an orbit by rotating thecapsule chamber.

FIG. 4 is a cross section of one embodiment showing the capsule andhandpiece mechanisms in the pre-activation stage.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view in the same configuration as shown in FIG. 4demonstrating that the bearings and capsule chamber could beincorporated into the capsule design or remain as part of the handpiecedesign as described above.

FIG. 6 shows the main drive shaft of FIG. 4 after it has advanced intothe plunger pocket which contains a mating gear interface.

FIG. 7 shows the assembly of FIG. 4 after activation.

FIG. 8 shows both drive shafts of FIG. 4 rotating to produce theplanetary motion.

FIG. 9 shows the assembly of FIG. 4 in the dispensed state.

FIG. 10 shows the process known in the prior art.

FIG. 11 illustrates a powder/liquid capsule for producing planetarymixing motion.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of the capsule of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross section of the capsule of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 illustrates the capsule of FIG. 11 engaged with the hex driveand ring gear of the dispenser.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view and an end view of the plunger driver ofFIG. 11 and the eccentric axis of the post.

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of a capsule in another embodiment inthe filled/ready to activate stage.

FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of the capsule components of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an isometric cross section view of the capsule of FIG. 16 inthe filled/ready to activate stage.

FIG. 19 shows a cross section of the capsule of FIG. 16 as it would beloaded into a handpiece with the drive shaft pulling back the mixingdisk to dislodge the liquid plug during activation.

FIG. 20 is a close up section view of the drive shaft of FIG. 16 afterit has fully retracted and displaced the liquid seal into the retaininggroove.

FIG. 21 is an illustration of mixing an activated capsule of FIG. 16.

FIG. 22a is an end view cross section illustrating how the holes arealigned by rotating the primary disk clockwise in the capsule of FIG. 21

FIG. 22b is an end view cross section illustrating how the holes areclosed (misaligned) by rotating the primary disk counter-clockwise in acapsule of FIG. 23.

FIG. 23 shows the cartridge preparing to extrude the mixed paste of FIG.16

FIG. 24 shows a cross section of a fully extruded capsule of FIG. 16.

FIG. 25 shows two alternative embodiments that could be used together orindependently.

FIG. 26 illustrates the donut-shaped liquid cup of FIG. 25 in theactivated stage.

FIG. 27 shows an empty capsule of FIG. 25 with the paste fullydispensed.

FIG. 28 shows an end view of the collapsed blades of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 illustrates an alternative embodiment where the primary andsecondary disks effectively seal the liquid and powder in theirrespective compartments until activated.

FIG. 30 illustrates a side view of another capsule embodiment in thefilled/ready to activate stage.

FIG. 31 shows an exploded view of the capsule components of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is an isometric cross section view of the capsule of FIG. 30 inthe filled/ready to activate stage.

FIG. 33 shows a cross section of the capsule of FIG. 30 as it would beloaded into a handpiece with the hex drive positioned ready to engagethe capsule plug.

FIG. 34 illustrates the capsule of FIG. 30 after the hex drive hasadvanced forward and engaged the hex-shaped hole in the plug.

FIG. 35 illustrates an activated capsule of FIG. 30.

FIG. 36 shows a cross section of the capsule of FIG. 30 with the hexdrive rotating to mix the powder and liquid components.

FIG. 37 illustrates a side view and cross section of the capsule as inFIG. 36.

FIG. 38 shows a capsule as in FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 illustrates the capsule of FIG. 30 dispensing the mixed paste asthe hex drive advances, rupturing the body membrane.

FIG. 40 shows an empty capsule of FIG. 30 with the hex drive withdrawn.

FIG. 41 shows a cross-section of the blades of a capsule of FIG. 30showing various leading edge configurations for mixing the paste duringrotation.

FIG. 42 illustrates the dispenser system of another embodiment prior tocapsule activation.

FIG. 43 illustrates the dispenser system of FIG. 42 after capsuleactivation.

FIG. 44 illustrates the dispenser system of FIG. 42 after pastedispensing.

FIG. 45 illustrates cross sectional views of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 illustrates another embodiment of dispensing capsule wherein amagnetic field is used to manipulate internal steel balls to mix thepaste.

FIG. 47 shows the capsule of FIG. 46 in the fully dispensed state.

FIG. 48 illustrates another embodiment wherein the liquid component isstored and contained in the mixing shaft that also supports internalmixing blades.

FIG. 49 shows the capsule of FIG. 48 after activation.

FIG. 51 shows the capsule of FIG. 48 during mixing.

FIG. 52 shows the capsule of FIG. 48 after mixing and prior toextrusion.

FIG. 53 shows the capsule of FIG. 48 after extrusion of the mixed paste.

FIG. 54 shows the capsule of FIG. 48 in an empty state with the handpiece plunger withdrawn

FIG. 55 shows a cross section of a handpiece and capsule in anotherembodiment with an offset axis

FIG. 56 shows the capsule of FIG. 55.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The diagram of FIG. 1 is a conceptual rendering of such a device andcapsule, while the block diagram of FIG. 2 outlines the functionalaspects described herein. There are numerous methods by which the deviceactivates and mixes the capsule (block diagram steps 3 and 4) some ofwhich are outlined here.

The applicator disclosed herein includes a capsule having three maincomponents: a capsule body, a liquid cup, and a plunger. The capsule maybe pre-loaded with liquid and powder components for the desired dentalproduct. The capsule may also have an integral dispensing tip, whichacts as a conduit through which the mixed paste is delivered and forextending the reach of the device. If an integral tip is not used aseparate dispensing tip may be used, which would include a mechanism forattaching the tip to the capsule.

The applicator system disclosed herein includes a handpiece having avariety of electro mechanical components including a drive shaft orother similar mechanisms such as a plunger, a battery capacitor or othersuch power source, a mechanism for mixing the capsule, a mechanism forincrementally advancing the drive shaft, a capsule compartment forloading and unloading the capsule, an opening loading and unloading thecapsule, control buttons or similar operator interface controls tooperate the handpiece (e.g. activate/mix, apply, etc.), an energy sourcesuch as the dental tubing on a chair-side, dental resource center.

One concept disclosed herein is an off-center capsule which consists ofa capsule with an offset mixing chamber. The capsule is then spun on amain axis which is offset from the mixing chamber axis. Another conceptdisclosed herein is a planetary mixing capsule which consists of amixing chamber that rotates while simultaneously orbiting an eccentricaxis. The planetary motion can be produced entirely by the handpiece orthrough a combination of capsule and handpiece features.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 55-56, the off-center capsule has twocompartments, one mixing compartment which is prefilled with powder andanother compartment for isolating the liquid during storage andtransport. In the present disclosure, the two compartments are offsetfrom the main axis, so that when the capsule is rapidly spun along themain axis, the materials are subjected to centrifugal forces, causingthem to thoroughly intermix. In addition, because of the relatively lowmass of the handpiece and the rapid rotation of the capsule, thehandpiece will vibrate due to the offset mass of the capsule, which alsocontributes to the mixing action.

The liquid compartment (cup) has a plunger that is coaxial to the liquidcompartment. The plunger has a hexagonal hole in the distal end forreceiving the handpiece drive shaft. The hexagonal hole and drive shaftare positioned along the main axis of rotation. The axis of the liquidand mixing compartments are offset from the main axis of rotation (FIG.56). The drive shaft is configured to engage the hexagonal hole. Duringactivation, the plunger is pushed forward by the drive shaft, hydraulicforce ruptures a first membrane on the liquid cup. The liquid is thendisplaced into the mixing chamber by the forward advancing plunger. Thedrive shaft stops advancing once the plunger reaches the bottom of theliquid cup completing the delivery of liquid into the mixingcompartment. This process of bringing the liquid into the powder/mixingchamber is called activation (FIG. 2, step 3)

The capsule body has circular exterior flanges that are concentric withthe main axis of rotation. The flange axis is coincidental to the mainaxis of rotation and is offset from the axis of the mixing compartment.The APLA handpiece has a compartment that is configured for receivingthe APLA capsule in which the capsule can freely rotate (FIG. 55).

After activation, mixing is automatically initiated (FIG. 2, step 4) andthe drive shaft begins to rotate rapidly, spinning the capsule about themain axis of rotation. Because the mixing compartment is offset from themain axis of rotation, the powder and liquid components are subjected tocentrifugal forces causing them to intermix. The handpiece rotates thecapsule for a predefined amount of time, speed and direction, specificto the needs of the material being mixed. Ideally, such mixing wouldtake about 10 to 15 seconds.

After mixing the user initiates dispensing (FIG. 2, step 5), by firstattaching a dispensing tip (if the capsule is not equipped with abuilt-in dispensing tip) and then by moving the drive shaft forward bypressing a control button or footswitch. The drive shaft moves forwardand causes a second membrane on the dispensing end of the mixingcompartment to rupture due to hydraulic forces. The paste is thendisplaced through the dispensing tip by the forward advancing liquidcompartment and plunger (which now move in unison). In embodiments, theuser has ultimate control of the application and is able to dispense asmuch or as little paste as needed by use of the control button or footswitch.

The handpiece uses energy sources typically available on a dental chairresource center such as compressed air, electricity, water, etc.Conceivably, function buttons on the handpiece initiate programmedsequences as follows:

-   -   (1) Load/Unload—Locks the handpiece compartment door and        advances the drive shaft to engage with the hexagonal hole in        the capsule plunger (FIG. 2, step 1) and/or retracts the drive        shaft and unlocks the handpiece compartment door for removal of        a used capsule (FIG. 2, step 6).    -   (2) Mix—Upon Operator demand (FIG. 2, step 2), the capsule is        activated by advancing the drive shaft, which displaces the        liquid into the powder/mixing compartment (FIG. 2 step 3), the        drive shaft stops advancing and then starts to rotate rapidly to        mix the powder/liquid components (FIG. 2, step 4). A        pre-programmed mixing algorithm is initiated which controls        mixing speed, direction, and duration specific to the material        being mixed. The rotation then stops.    -   (3) Apply—When pressed by the user, advances the drive shaft to        move the liquid compartment/plunger forward to dispense the        paste and stops dispensing when released (FIG. 2, Step 5).

In embodiments, a planetary mixing capsule as depicted in FIGS. 3-9 and11-15 may be used in the delivery system described herein.

The planetary capsule configuration creates a motion that is similar toa planet that orbits the sun where the planet follows an orbit aroundthe sun (central main axis) and rotates on its own axis (the eccentricaxis). The direction of rotation for either can be in either directionor both in the same direction depending on the needs of the individualproduct being mixed, or either one could oscillate back and forth. Thus,a variety of mixing actions may be performed.

The axis of the main drive shaft is in a fixed position axis and thecapsule plunger is the follower. The main drive shaft spins the capsule(planet) while the secondary drive shaft spins the handpiece capsulechamber (orbit). In this example the diameter of the orbit is muchsmaller than the diameter of the planet.

As demonstrated in FIG. 3, the handpiece establishes an orbit byrotating the capsule chamber. Not to be confused with the mixingchamber, the capsule chamber is a compartment within the handpiece whichcontains the capsule. The capsule chamber has an eccentric cavity. Asecondary drive shaft engages the capsule chamber through a gear orother similar interface and rotates the capsule chamber. In thisexample, the diameter of the orbit is 2 times the distance of theeccentric cavity offset.

The main drive shaft rotates on an axis that is coincident to the mainaxis. First, the main drive shaft advances to engage an eccentric gearinterface on the inner surface of the capsule plunger. Then the maindrive shaft advances again (on command) to activate the capsule,displacing the liquid into the powder/mixing chamber. During activationa membrane in the liquid cup (not shown) ruptures due to pressure causedby the advancing plunger.

Mixing then automatically starts as both drive shafts start to rotate.The secondary drive shaft causes the eccentric axis to orbit the mainaxis and the main drive shaft spins the powder/mixing chamber as itrotates about the orbit. In FIGS. 3-9 and elsewhere, the handpiece isnot shown for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 4 is a cross section showing the capsule and handpiece mechanismsin the pre-activation stage, before the main drive shaft has advanced toengage the capsule plunger.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view in the same configuration as shown in FIG. 7demonstrating that the bearings and capsule chamber could beincorporated into the capsule design or remain as part of the handpiecedesign as described above.

FIG. 6 shows the main drive shaft after it has advanced into the plungerpocket which contains a mating gear interface.

FIG. 7 shows the assembly after activation, where the main drive shafthas advanced and pushed the plunger forward, rupturing the membrane inthe liquid container and displacing the liquid into the powder/mixingchamber. After activation the main drive shaft stops advancing.

FIG. 8 shows both drive shafts rotating to produce the planetary motion.The powder and liquid then combine to form a mixed paste as a result ofthe mixing motion.

FIG. 9 shows the assembly in the dispensed state (the paste anddispensing tip are not shown). After mixing, the drive shafts stoprotating and once again, on command the main drive shaft advances todispense the mixed paste. A membrane in the front of the mixing chamberruptures (in a manner similar to that previously described for theliquid chamber) to release the paste from the mixing chamber and deliverthe paste through a dispensing tip (membrane and dispensing tip notshown).

The planetary concept overcomes an inherent problem in the offsetcapsule concept, which is uniform centrifugal force keeping the paste inthe same spot throughout the mixing. The planetary concept overcomesthis by rotating the capsule about its own axis while it also rotatesabout an orbit.

As shown in FIG. 10, the process known in the prior art includingactivation of the capsule, transferring the capsule to the amalgammixer, mixing the capsule, removing the capsule from the amalgam mixerand loading the capsule into a human powered dispensing device islaborious and time consuming and sometimes requires the help of a dentalassistant. In some cases, the user requires up to three separate piecesof equipment to carry out this procedure. It is therefore the intent ofthe present invention, to combine these steps into an easy to usehandpiece and capsule system that performs each of these functions andeliminates the need to transfer the capsule to individual devices foractivation, mixing and dispensing.

One desired feature of the offset capsule concept is that the axis ofthe mixing compartment is offset from the axis of rotation. When thecapsule is rapidly spun about the axis of rotation it will cause theliquid and powder components to mix together by centrifugal forces. Inaddition, due to the relatively low mass of the handpiece in relation tothe capsule, the handpiece will vibrate due to the offset mass of thecapsule. This vibration imparts yet another important mixing action tothe components. Another desired feature is that the capsule and thehandpiece may be part of a dental material application system that canonly work together to obtain the benefits of the system as a whole. Thehandpiece cannot be used with other competitive capsules because they donot have the offset or planetary mixing and they are not configured tofit within the working mechanisms of an alternative handpiece.

Yet another desired feature is that the capsule described herein maywork with traditional amalgam mixers and capsule dispensers, but othercapsules cannot work in the handpiece disclosed herein (as explainedabove). This is a unique benefit because in the case of a handpiecefailure, the user can use an amalgam mixer as a backup system, sincenearly all dental offices have an amalgam mixer. If the user does notwant to purchase the handpiece disclosed herein they can use the capsulewith their existing equipment and it would work just as well ascompetitive capsules. Therefore, our the applicator system describedherein provides a competitive advantage to those who want to use thetotal system but no disadvantage to those who don't.

Yet another desired feature is the powered dispensing capability.Traditionally, paste from cement capsules have been delivered by handoperated dispensing guns, which usually consists of a handle and leverthat acts upon a plunger. These dispensing guns provide the mechanicaladvantage necessary to press the plunger, but they still depend on theoperator to provide the force while simultaneously controlling the pasteapplication. Our new handpiece and capsule, is powered by energy sourceswithin the handpiece (or supplied by the chair-side resource center).The operator simply pushes a control button to advance the drive shaftand dispense the product. This operation requires less sensory controlby the operator because the operator does not have to provide, controland monitor the delivery force at the same time. Yet another benefit isthat the handpiece described herein may be pen-shaped which is moreergonomic than the manual capsule applicator shown in FIG. 10.

Yet another desired feature that is that the system described hereincombines the functions of activation, mixing and dispensing into onedevice. Previously, these functions required the use of separate devicesand transfer of the capsule between them to accomplish the same goal.This greatly simplifies the complexity of the restorative procedure forthe user and allows the practitioner to concentrate more on the patientand the procedure and less on coordinating the preparation of therestorative materials, resulting in better patient care.

Yet another desired feature of the planetary capsule disclosed herein isthat the planetary motion provides a continuous sheering motion becausethe walls of the mixing chamber are continuously rotating into a newposition and the paste wants to stay to the outside due to centrifugalforces.

It is further an objective of the applicator system disclosed herein touse a variety of mixing motions in addition to spinning in only onedirection. The handpiece could be programmed to reverse direction andspin in the opposite direction for a back-and-forth rotary motion. Bydoing so, the components are subjected sheer forces imparted by theinertia of the paste and rapidly changing directions. In the case of theplanetary capsule it is possible to use any combination of rotation fromthe two drive shafts including rotation from only one, both in the samedirection, different speeds from either one and reversing one or theother.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include a “smart” packagecommunication system wherein the capsule has an RFID (radio frequencyidentification) label that can be decoded by a reader contained in thehandpiece which identifies the mixing program to be used for thatparticular product.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include a vacuum within thehandpiece and to impart a vacuum to the interior of the capsule with thepurpose of reducing porosity in the mixed paste. The vacuum may bepowered by the energy available on the chair-side resource center of thedental chair.

The applicator system disclosed herein may incorporate ribs, grooves, orother similar engagement mechanisms in the liquid compartment and/orplunger and/or capsule body to prevent the capsule assembly fromslipping due to sudden torque imparted to the capsule by the driveshaft.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include a built-in dispensingtip or an add-on (after market) dispensing tip for direct delivery ofthe paste to the restoration site.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include internal ribs in themixing compartment that promote mixing action by sheering the materialover the obstruction. Such ribs could be parallel to the axis ofrotation, perpendicular or helical.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include frangible membraneson the liquid compartment and mixing compartment that are made of suchmaterials as integrally molded thin wall sections, heat sealed poly/foillaminations, etc. Thin molded plastic membranes with frangible channelsfor directing the fracture zone in a controlled manner and thicker areasmay prevent sections of the frangible membrane from inadvertentlybecoming dislodged and getting incorporated into the paste. As such, thethickened section acts as a hinge.

In order to signal the completion of steps or the readiness state of thehandpiece through the use of audible tones, messages or LED signallights may be included in the applicator system disclosed herein. Forexample, after the product is mixed, the material will have a specificworking time in which the operator must dispense it. The handpiece couldsignal the user with lights, audible tones, prerecorded messages etc.that are specific to the material being used and which guide the userthrough the dispensing and application of the material. For example, agauge showing working time decreasing, a prerecorded voice prompt thatsays “ready to dispense”, audible tones that beep at different stages,etc.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include a USB computerconnection on the handpiece to download specific function updates or toconduct self-diagnostics over the internet or to update the softwareprograms.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include a pre-programmedpressure relief feature that when paste is being delivered and the userwishes to stop dispensing and stops pressing the apply button, the driveshaft automatically backs up a small amount which is sufficient torelieve pressure and prevent paste from oozing out of the dispensingtip.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include a pressure sensinglimit capability such as a motor current limit detection which preventsthe device from over pressurizing the capsule during activation anddispensing.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include an auto load functionwhere no specific load button is required (as explained above). In thisobjective, the handpiece would sense when a capsule was loaded and theaccess door was closed, which would automatically advance the driveshaft to engage with the hexagonal hole in the capsule plunger. As suchthe plunger and drive mechanism would be prepositioned and ready to beactivated on command.

The applicator system disclosed herein may include an automatic unloadfunction, where after the material is dispensed and the drive shaftcannot advance any further it retracts and unlocks the handpiececompartment door automatically, so that the empty capsule may beremoved.

The applicator system disclosed herein may be capable of utilizingdispensing tips that when applied (after mixing) pierce the secondmembrane on the mixing compartment so as to eliminate the need forhydraulic force to do so.

The applicator system disclosed herein may be capable of utilizing a camon the end face of the handpiece capsule compartment or on the distalend of the capsule and/or both that imparts an axial vibration motion inaddition to the rotational motion for increased agitation. As such thedrive shaft would have to be spring loaded to induce the mechanism tofollow the cam path.

The applicator system disclosed herein may be capable of utilizing sonicor ultrasonic vibrations such as those generated by piezo electrictransducers to facilitate or further enhance the mixing of thecomponents. It should be noted that there are may be other technologiesthat could be utilized within the current invention to facilitate mixingof the powder/liquid components into a paste.

Regarding the offset concept, it is a further objective of thisdisclosure to utilize a planetary gear to spin the capsule instead ofthe aforementioned hex drive. The handpiece would have a drive shaftfixed on the axis of rotation with gear teeth that engage with followergearing on the inside of the cup. This configuration would be beneficialbecause the cup would not have to be oriented in any specific mannersuch as with the hex drive coupling mechanism described earlier.Chamfers on the leading edge of the drive shaft gear would engage withsimilar chamfers on the follower gear and self-orient the capsule as thedrive shaft first enters the liquid cup prior during the loading stage.

Planetary Mixing

Description of Drawings

FIG. 11 Illustrates a powder/liquid capsule for producing planetarymixing motion

FIG. 12 Illustrates an exploded view of the capsule of FIG. 11

FIG. 13 Illustrates a cross section of the capsule of FIG. 11

FIG. 14 Illustrates the capsule engaged with the hex drive and ring gearof the dispenser

FIG. 15 Illustrates a side view and an end view of the plunger driverand the eccentric axis of the post

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS AND NOMENCLATURE

10 capsule

11 body

12 nozzle

13 liquid cup

14 plunger

15 plunger driver

16 planet gear

17 hex dive hole

18 plunger driver post

21 ring gear

22 hex drive shaft

30 main axis of rotation

31 offset axis of plunger driver post and capsule body

Physical Properties, Characteristics, Unique and Innovative Features

In the representation of FIGS. 11-15, the dispenser is not describedexcept for the ring gear and hex drive which interface with the capsule.The planetary capsule of FIGS. 11-15 is an alternative embodiment to theplanetary system of FIGS. 3-9 described below.

The gearing on the capsule interfaces with gearing on the dispenser toproduce the desired planetary motion. Mixing is achieved throughcentrifugal forces and residual vibrations of the mechanism duringoperation. The ring gear of the dispenser remains stationary. The planetgear of the capsule body is a spur gear which meshes with the ring gearof the dispenser.

The capsule consists of a body, nozzle, liquid cup, plunger and plungerdriver. The powder is contained in a distal section of the body referredto as the mixing compartment. A frangible membrane separates the mixingcompartment from the nozzle. The liquid cup seals the proximal end ofthe capsule thereby containing the powder in the mixing compartment. Theliquid is contained in the liquid cup which has a frangible membrane onthe distal end. The proximal end of the liquid cup is sealed by africtional fit plunger. The proximal end of the plunger has acylindrical hole that mates with a post on the distal end of the plungerdriver. The driver post fits loosely within the cylindrical hole of theplunger so that it can rotate freely. The proximal end of the plungerdriver has a flange with a hex-shaped hole configured to mate with ahex-shaped shaft of the dispenser. The axis of the hex shaped hole andthe axis of the plunger driver post are offset and parallel. The axis ofthe hex-shaped hole is coincident with the main axis of rotation and thering gear of the dispenser. The axis of the driver post is coincidentwith the axis of the capsule body, liquid cup and plunger.

The hex shaft of the dispenser engages with the hex-shaped hole of theplunger driver. The offset axis of the plunger driver causes the planetgear of the capsule body to engage with the ring gear of the dispenser.When the hex shaft turns it causes the plunger driver post to orbitaround the main axis thereby causing the planet gear to orbit around thering gear. The resulting motion causes the capsule body tosimultaneously orbit around the ring gear and turn on its own axis.

The teeth of the gears are arranged so that they mesh together androtate freely without interference. The planet gear has fewer teeth thanthe ring gear. For example, the ratio of planet gear teeth to ring gearteeth is, 55:60. When the hex drive rotates clockwise it results in thebody rotating counterclockwise with respect to the gear ratio.

The capsule is activated by advancing the hex drive shaft of thedispenser, so that it pushes the plunger forward into the liquid cup.Hydraulic pressure ruptures the membrane of the liquid cup and releasesthe liquid into the mixing compartment. After activation, hex driveshaft stops advancing so that the mixing step can occur. The hex drivestarts to rotate which drives capsule around the ring gear as explainedabove.

The rotation is preferably very fast and causes the powder and liquidcomponents to mix. Centrifugal forces cause the powder and liquid to bedispersed against the inner wall of the mixing compartment. Theeccentric rotation causes the inner side wall of the capsule body torotate and the paste to continuously flow over the side wall to theouter most orientation. In this manner, the paste is continuouslysheering over itself and mixing.

Mixing Blades

Physical Properties, Characteristics, Unique and Innovative Features

FIG. 16 Illustrates a side view of the capsule in the filled/ready toactivate stage.

FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of the capsule components

FIG. 18 is an isometric cross section view of the capsule in thefilled/ready to activate stage. The capsule is filled with the powderand liquid components of a dental restorative material (powder andliquid not shown)

FIG. 19 shows a cross section of the capsule as it would be loaded intoa handpiece with the hex drive engaging the drive shaft and pulling backto activate the capsule. The fluid in the liquid compartment flowsthrough the channels to the powder storage/mixing compartment

FIG. 20 is a close up section view of the drive shaft after it has fullyretracted and displaced the liquid seal into the retaining groove.

FIG. 21 is an Illustration of mixing an activated capsule, where the hexdrive is rotated clockwise to align the holes in the primary andsecondary disks and the drive shaft reciprocates in the mixing chamberto mix the paste.

FIG. 22a is an end view cross section illustrating how the holes arealigned by rotating the primary disk clockwise.

FIG. 22b is an end view cross section illustrating how the holes areclosed (misaligned) by rotating the primary disk counter-clockwise.

FIG. 23 shows the cartridge preparing to extrude the mixed paste. Thedrive shaft is positioned at the proximal end and rotatedcounter-clockwise to close the holes. The drive shaft then advances thedisks which can now act as a piston to displace the mixed paste.

FIG. 24 shows a cross section of a fully extruded capsule

FIG. 25 shows two alternative embodiments that could be used together orindependently—donut-shaped liquid cup and flexible folding mixingblades.

FIG. 26 illustrates the donut-shaped liquid cup in the activated stage,having the membrane ruptured and the mixing blades reciprocating to mixthe paste

FIG. 27 shows an empty capsule with the paste fully dispensed. The pasteis dispensed by advancing the liquid cup and plug in unison. Theflexible mixing blades fold flat under compression.

FIG. 28 shows an end view of the collapsed blades. There is a smallspace around each blade to allow paste to squeeze through as the wholeassembly collapses.

FIG. 29 illustrates an alternative embodiment, wherein the primary andsecondary disks effectively seal the liquid and powder in theirrespective compartments until activated.

Referring to FIGS. 17 through 24, the components of the capsule aredescribed in more detail below.

The powder component of the formulation is stored in the distal end ofthe capsule. A pair of perforated mixing disks are enclosed in thepowder storage compartment. The first is a primary disk which issecurely attached to a drive shaft for means of rotation. The other is asecondary disk which is loosely attached to the drive shaft. Thesecondary disk preferably has a slight friction fit with the inside wallof the mixing chamber so that when the primary disk rotates thesecondary disk tends to resist rotation and therefore affecting positionof one disk with respect to the other.

The secondary disk has a groove along the outer edge that mates with astop block which is affixed to the primary disk. The groove and stopblock are configured so that when the primary disk is rotated the holesalign or misalign as needed. Alignment is used for mixing and isachieved with a clockwise rotation of the primary disk. Misalignment iscaused by turning the drive shaft counter-clockwise and is used to closethe holes and is used for extruding the paste like a piston.

A liquid sealing disk forms a liquid tight seal between the powderstorage compartment and the liquid storage compartment. The outer mostsurface of the liquid sealing disk produces a liquid tight seal with theinside diameter of the capsule body and is positioned against a smallledge to prevent forward motion into the powder storage compartment. Theliquid sealing disk also has a hole in the middle with a liquid tightseal through which the drive shaft extends towards the proximal end ofthe capsule.

The liquid storage area is completed by an end cap which is hermeticallysealed to the proximal end of the capsule body. The end cap has a holein the center for the drive shaft with a liquid tight seal.

The inner wall of the liquid storage area has at least one groove alongthe outside wall of the liquid chamber, which runs parallel to the mainaxis of the capsule body and is positioned a slight distance proximalfrom the liquid seal seating ledge. The capsule is activated by pullingback on the drive shaft and dislodging the liquid sealing disk. When theliquid sealing disk passes the distal starting point of the groove theliquid is displaced into the powder storage chamber. When the driveshaft is pulled all the way back, the sealing flange of the liquidsealing disk springs outwardly and is captured in a retaining groovenear the proximal end of the capsule body, preventing any further axialmovement of the sealing disk.

The drive shaft is then turned clockwise to open the holes.Simultaneously, the drive shaft reciprocates from a proximal location toa distal location as many times as necessary to mix the paste. Thepowder/liquid mixture passes through the holes in the rotating disks andmixes into a paste. Speed of rotation, number of reciprocation cyclesand duration of mixing are variable and could be adjusted to the needsof specific paste formulations.

When the paste has been thoroughly mixed, the drive shaft is pulled backall the way to the proximal location and rotated counter-clockwise toclose the holes. The drive shaft is then moved forward using the closeddisks as a piston to dispense the paste through the nozzle.

Additional Embodiments

One embodiment uses the primary and secondary disks to separate theliquid and powder compartments as shown in FIG. 29. The disks wouldcreate a liquid tight seal between each other when the mixing holes arein the closed position. Liquid tight seals would also be formed betweenthe secondary disk and drive shaft and the secondary disk and the insidewall of the capsule body. Elastomeric seals could be utilized to form aneffective liquid tight seal at each hole in the closed position.Alternatively, an elastomeric disk could be utilized between the primaryand secondary disks to form the required liquid tight seals.

An additional embodiment consists of a donut-shaped liquid cup as shownin FIG. 25. The cup would consist of a soft plastic such as low densitypolyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene (PP) so that it could form a plugseal with the inner surface of the capsule body. It would have afrangible seal either formed as a contiguous thin section or a heatsealed foil member at the distal end.

Another embodiment consists of a mixing blade that is much like apropeller with two or more blades. The blades are supported at the endof a shaft which provides the rotational and reciprocating motion. Theouter edge of the blades may be supported by an outer ring that isattached to a radial member that further connects to the shaft. Theblades could fold out of the way during dispensing due to the flexiblenature of the plastic used in their manufacture.

Physical Properties, Characteristics, Unique and Innovative Features

FIGS. 30 to 41 show a capsule with blades that are aligned with the axisof the capsule and rotate around the outside wall of the capsule (asopposed to the previous examples where the blades were in a planeperpendicular to the axis).

FIG. 30 Illustrates a side view of the capsule in the filled/ready toactivate stage.

FIG. 31 shows an exploded view of the capsule components

FIG. 32 is an isometric cross section view of the capsule in thefilled/ready to activate stage. The capsule is filled with the powderand liquid components of a dental restorative material (powder andliquid not shown)

FIG. 33 shows a cross section of the capsule as it would be loaded intoa handpiece with the hex drive positioned ready to engage the capsuleplug.

FIG. 34 illustrates the capsule after the hex drive has advanced forwardand engaged the hex-shaped hole in the plug.

FIG. 35 is an Illustration of an activated capsule, where the hex drivehas advanced pushing the plug into the liquid cup, rupturing the cupmembrane and displacing the liquid into the powder/mixing compartment.

FIG. 36 shows the hex drive rotating to mix the powder and liquidcomponents

FIG. 37 illustrates a cross section of the capsule as in FIG. 36 andidentifies the components that mesh together to transfer the rotationalforce to the mixing blades

FIG. 38 is a capsule as in FIG. 36 with the capsule body showntransparently

FIG. 39 illustrates the capsule dispensing the mixed paste as the hexdrive advances, rupturing the body membrane

FIG. 40 shows an empty capsule with the hex drive withdrawn.

FIG. 41 shows a cross-section of the blades showing various leading edgeconfigurations for mixing the paste during rotation.

Referring to FIG. 32 the components of the capsule are described in moredetail below.

The body is the main component, which houses the other components anddefines the outer geometry which would interface with the handpiece. Ithas a thin frangible membrane at the distal end that is eithercontiguously formed with the body or is a separate heat sealed foillaminate. The membrane isolates the powder from the powder/mixingcompartment and prevents it from getting into the nozzle.

The mixing blades consists of a round disc at the distal end thatsupports radially spaced blades. The disc has a hole in the middle toallow the mixed paste to pass through to the nozzle. The blades aretrapezoidal-shaped with a low angle blade on one side that scrapes theside of the mixing chamber and a high angle surface on the other sidethat pushed by the grooves on the outer surface of the liquid mixingcup.

The liquid cup has radially spaced grooves on the outer surface thatconform to the profile of the mixing blades. When the cup rotates ittransfers the rotation to the mixing blades because the blades arecaptured between the grooves and the inner wall of the capsule body.When the cup is pushed forward during dispensing the mixing blades slidethrough the grooves to allow the cup to act as a piston to dispense themixed paste. The cup also has an inner frangible membrane that is eithercontiguously formed with the cup or a separate foil laminate. The innerdistal end of the cup is cylindrical and contains the liquid componentof the dental material. The cylindrical shape is sealed by the distalend of the plug. The inner proximal surface of the cup has radiallyspaced ratchet teeth that mesh with similarly shaped teeth on theproximal end of the plug. These ratchet teeth transfer the rotation ofthe plug to the cup.

The plug has a distal end that is smooth and circular to seal the liquidin the distal end of the cup. The proximal end of the plug has ratchetteeth that mesh with similarly shaped ratchet teeth on the proximal endof the cup. The plug also has a hex-shaped hole in the center that isused to engage a hex-shaped drive shaft from the handpiece.

The nozzle snaps onto the capsule body and transfers the paste from thepowder/liquid mixing compartment to the restoration site.

The handpiece itself is not shown, but the drive shaft of the handpieceis shown to illustrate the combination of forward and rotational motionnecessary to activate, mix and dispense the material. The handpiecewould hold the capsule in a stable position to enable the drive shaft tointeract with the capsule.

Another embodiment is where the mixing blades have an acute angle to thedirection of rotation so that they strop the paste. The blades couldalternate between the scraper blade (low angle) and the stopping blade(acute angle) as shown in FIG. 41. The stopping action with an acuteangle is much like the hand mixing action that a practitioner would usewhen hand mixing pastes with a spatula. One blade would scrape the pasteoff of the wall and the next would strop it against the wall, resultingin a very efficient mixing action.

Another embodiment has internal mixing elements that are spread openduring mixing, but collapses during dispensing so that the plunger candisplace all the paste. The elements could collapse in a planeperpendicular to the axis of rotation or fold up against the outer wallsof the mixing chamber. The elements could also break away from a driveshaft to facilitate collapsing. See US Class 416—Fluid ReactionSurfaces, subclass 142—working members foldable pivotable or collapsibleto non-use position.

Another embodiment has helical mixing blades that mesh with helicalgrooves in the cup. Helical blades would add a directional force to thepaste and force the paste to one end of the mixing chamber so that itwould not accumulate in the center

Another embodiment of the mixing blades is a disc that rotates and whichreciprocates between a distal position and a proximal position. The diskcould be perpendicular to the main axis of the mixing chamber or angledto impart more mixing action. The disc could have holes and/or angledflaps in it to allow paste to pass through as it mixes. The disc couldthen facilitate displacing the paste into the dispensing nozzle like apiston and the flaps could simply collapse against the distal wall ofthe mixing chamber when acted upon by the cup as a piston.

FIGS. 42-45 illustrate a ultrasonic hand piece

FIG. 42 illustrates the dispenser system prior to capsule activation

FIG. 43 illustrates the dispenser system after capsule activation (stage1 displacement)

FIG. 44 illustrates the dispenser system after paste dispensing (stage 2displacement)

FIG. 45 illustrates cross sectional views of FIG. 44

List of Reference Numbers and Nomenclature

1 Powder

2 Liquid

4 Body (capsule)

5 Nozzle

6 Liquid receptacle

7 Plunger

8 First membrane of liquid receptacle

9 Mixing chamber

110 Second membrane of capsule body

111 Mixed dental restorative material (paste)

112 End (sonotrode)

113 Sonotrode

114 Vibration source

20 Capsule

130 Delivery device

32 Counterweight

33 Sliding sleeve

34 Outer body of delivery device

35 Spring

Described below is an ultrasonic vibration mixing as shown in FIGS. 42to 45. The delivery device 130 and capsule 20 combine together to form apackaging and delivery system that eliminates the need to use astand-alone amalgamator (a.k.a. triterator) and therefore there is noneed to transfer the capsule from an activator, then to an amalgamatorand then finally to a manual dispenser. In this new system, the capsule20 is loaded into the delivery device 130, which activates, mixes anddispenses all from the same delivery device 130.

It should be noted that only the delivery end of delivery device 130 isshown and described herein, because any number of mechanisms can beutilized to provide the displacement of vibration source 114 andsonotrode 113. Such mechanisms include, but are not limited to, aplunger mechanically advanced by a lever, a pneumatic cylinder, a leadscrew and nut, a piezoelectric linear motor, rack and pinion or othersuch mechanisms that provide linear displacement.

Capsule 20 consists of a body 4, a nozzle 5, a liquid receptacle 6 and aplunger 7. The liquid receptacle 6 has a first membrane 8 positionedbetween liquid receptacle 6 and mixing chamber 9. Capsule body 4 has asecond membrane 110 positioned between mixing chamber 9 and nozzle 5.The powder 1 and liquid 2 are constituents of a mixed dental restorativematerial 111 and are contained and isolated in a capsule 20. The liquid2 is contained in liquid receptacle 6 and sealed by plunger 7 on theproximal end and the first membrane on the distal end. The powder 1 iscontained in the mixing chamber 9 and is sealed by liquid receptacle 6and second membrane 110. Capsule 20 is preferably detachable fromdelivery device 130.

To activate capsule 20, plunger 7 is displaced in an axial directiontowards the distal end of capsule 20 by end 112 of sonotrode 113. Thisfirst stage displacement, causes first membrane 8 of liquid receptacle 6to rupture under hydraulic force, which in turn displaces liquid 2 intomixing chamber 9. After the liquid 2 is transferred into mixing chamber9, the axial displacement is paused for mixing. Vibrations fromvibration source 114 are preferably transferred to plunger 7 and capsulebody 4 of capsule 20 to induce mixing of powder 1 and liquid 2 into apaste of mixed dental restorative material 111. The duration andintensity of the vibrations are variable depending on the ratio ofpowder 1 to liquid 2, the given amounts of material, the desired pasteconsistency and specific formulation requirements, etc.

The vibration source 114 comprises multiple piezoelectric elements,which are connected at one end to the sonotrode 113 and at the other endto a counterweight 32. The counterweight 32 is surrounded by a slidingsleeve 33. The delivery device 30 comprises the sonotrode 113, vibrationsource 114, counterweight 32 and sliding sleeve 33, which are allarranged displaceably within outer body 34 of delivery device 130. Thisdisplaceable arrangement is referred to as the inner displaceableassembly and is acted upon by an axial force provided by a piston,plunger, linkage, lever or pneumatic cylinder, etc. to displace the end112 of sonotrode 113 in relation to capsule 20. The displacement acts ina direction from the proximal end to the distal end of delivery device30 and capsule 20.

After the dental restorative material 111 is thoroughly mixed into apaste, the end 112 of sonotrode 113 is displaced towards the distal endof capsule 20, which displaces plunger 7 and liquid receptacle 6 towardsthe distal end of capsule 20. This second stage displacement causes thesecond membrane 110 to rupture under hydraulic force, which permits themixed dental restorative material 111 to be transferred into nozzle 5for delivery to the operative site. Preferably, the second stagedisplacement can be controlled by the operator in order to control theflow of the paste according to the operator's needs.

Spring 35 biases the inner displaceable assembly towards the proximalend of delivery device 130 so that capsule 20 can be loaded intodelivery device 130. During axial displacement of the inner displaceableassembly, spring 35 is compressed. When dispensing is complete thebiasing force of spring 35 returns the inner displaceable assembly backto the proximal end of delivery device 30 so that empty capsule 20 maybe removed and discarded.

In another embodiment, the sonotrode transfers vibrations directly tothe body of the capsule through a direct and secure connection. Theconnection can be selectively locked and unlocked to disconnect thecapsule body from the sonotrode and to facilitate each stage ofdisplacement of the sonotrode during capsule activation and delivery ofmixed dental restorative paste.

Another embodiment exists wherein the device mixes two fluid or pasteproducts.

Described below is mixing with loose magnetic mixing elements and anexternal magnetic field. After the capsule is activated (the liquid isintroduced into the powder) a magnetic field is introduced to move theballs around and assist in mixing the paste. FIG. 46 illustrates a howthe balls are attracted to an external magnet. The magnetic field can bemoved around the capsule or pulsed on and off. In addition, the capsulecan be rotated about its longitudinal axis to induce further mixingaction. The combination of capsule rotation and application of magneticfield combine to mix the product more so than just rotation alone.

After mixing, the magnetic field is removed and the product is dispensedby pushing on the plunger. As the plunger advances, the round ballseasily move to the front of the capsule where they eventually accumulateas shown in FIG. 47. The paste can easily pass between the balls, evenif they are tightly packed together.

The front portion of the capsule is designed to act like a screen. Itpermits the paste to pass through, but prevents the balls. The capsuleand balls are designed such that the passageway(s) cannot becomeblocked.

When used in conjunction with the handpiece described in the originaldisclosure, the capsule has a unique competitive advantage over othersystems. One advantage is that it could also be used in an amalgammixer, because the balls would not interfere with trituration. Likewise,competitive capsules would not work our new handpiece without theinternal magnetic mixers.

The capsule described below is suitable for use within the applicatorsystem described herein for mixing powder/liquid dental compositions inconjunction with a dispenser that activates the capsule, mixes andapplies the resulting paste.

The following section describes a method and design for storing theliquid in a central cavity of the mixing shaft.

FIG. 48 identifies the components of the system.

FIG. 49 illustrates a capsule activated by the handpiece plunger.

FIG. 50 illustrates the mixing stage.

FIG. 51 illustrates when mixing has been completed.

FIG. 52 illustrates a fully extruded capsule.

FIG. 53 illustrates an empty caspsule with handpiece plunger withdrawn.

List of Reference Numbers and Nomenclature

41 Mixing disk

42 Handpiece elongated plunger

43 Second displaceable piston

44 Donut-shaped plunger

45 Capsule body

46 Nozzle

47 Extrusion tube

48 Vent hole

49 Bayonet locking tab

410 Bayonet coupling thread

411 Powder component

412 Liquid component

413 Hollow shaft

414 Capsule

415 Handpiece driveshaft

416 Frangible membrane

417 First displaceable piston

418 Mixed dental composition

Described herein is a capsule 414 and a handpiece (for clarity, only thehandpiece driveshaft 415 of the handpiece is shown). The capsule is forstoring and mixing powder 411 and liquid 412 components of a dentalcomposition 418. For example, the composition is a glass ionomer toothrestorative material. The handpiece acts upon the capsule to activate,mix and dispense the mixed dental composition.

The capsule described herein is configured to keep the powder and liquidcomponents separate until needed for application. The powder is storedin a compartment formed by the capsule body 45. The liquid is storedinside a hollow shaft 413 within the capsule body. The liquid isexpelled from the hollow shaft during an activation stage and wets thepowder in the mixing chamber. The hollow shaft is connected to a mixingdisk 41 that rotates and reciprocates to mix the powder and liquid intoa paste-like dental composition. The dental composition is dispensedfrom the capsule by extruding the paste through a nozzle 46 at thedistal end of the capsule.

The liquid storage compartment in the hollow shaft has a solid end faceat the distal end and an open end at the proximal end. The side wall ofthe hollow shaft has a vent hole 48 near the distal end of the shaft. Afirst displaceable piston 417 is positioned over the vent hole and sealsthe end of the hollow shaft. The liquid component is filled in throughthe open end of the hollow shaft and sealed with a second displaceablestopper in the proximal end of the hollow shaft. The liquid is thereforecontained in the central compartment between the first and seconddisplaceable pistons.

The capsule has an internal mixing disk that rotates and reciprocates tomix the dental composition. The mixing disk is connected to the distalend of the hollow shaft. The axis of the hollow shaft is coincident withthe axis of the capsule body. The proximal end of the hollow shaft alsohas a means for coupling to the driveshaft of the handpiece. Thehandpiece driveshaft provides the motion to activate the capsule androtate and reciprocate the mixing disk.

The mixing disk of the hollow shaft is positioned adjacent to the distalend wall of the capsule's mixing chamber. The powder is preferablyplaced in the mixing chamber surrounding the liquid filled hollow shaft.The proximal end of the capsule is sealed with a donut-shaped plunger44, which also acts as a bearing for the hollow shaft. The bearing ofthe donut-shaped plunger fits frictionally with the outer surface of thehollow shaft, so that the hollow shaft can rotate and reciprocate whilemaintaining a seal to contain the powder and mixed dental composition.The donut-shaped plunger also fits frictionally against the inner sidewall of the capsule body so that it can be displaced towards the distalend of the capsule to dispense the mixed dental composition.

The handpiece driveshaft has an elongated plunger that fits within thehollow shaft. During activation, the elongated plunger advances andcontacts the second displaceable piston. The displacement causes thefirst displaceable piston to move towards the distal end by virtue ofhydraulic force. When the proximal edge of the first displaceablestopper passes the vent hole the liquid flows out the vent hole and intothe mixing chamber with the powder. All the liquid has then beendisplaced into the mixing chamber when the elongated plunger of thedriveshaft has displaced the second displaceable piston all the way tothe end of the hollow shaft.

The driveshaft has a bayonet coupling thread 410 on the proximal end ofthe elongated plunger. The proximal end of the hollow shaft has abayonet locking tab 49. During activation, as the driveshaft approachesthe end of the hollow shaft the drive shaft starts to rotate in adirection that will engage the bayonet locking features. Once coupled,the drive shaft starts continues to rotate and then starts toreciprocate back and forth mixing the powder and liquid into a pastelike consistency. The direction and continuous rotation ensures thecoupling engagement of the bayonet locking features remained locked asthe mixing elements reciprocate.

When the desired consistency is reached, the extrusion tube 47 advancesto push on the donut-shaped plunger, expressing the mixed dentalcomposition. The driveshaft also advances the mixing disk and hollowshaft as necessary to advance in unison with the donut-shaped plunger.Spaces between the blades of the mixing disk permit the paste to flowaround the mixing blades and out the nozzle.

Collapsible mixing blades that fold flat as the paste is extruded canalso be utilized as described in a previous disclosure.

Another embodiment distributes the liquid along the length of the mixingcompartment to distribute the liquid more evenly throughout the powdercomponent.

Another embodiment of this concept has a hollow shaft with a hole thatgoes through the mixing disk and a bypass liquid vent on the inner endsection of the hollow shaft. The liquid would then be transferred todistal end of the mixing disk rather than the side of the hollow shaft.

We claim:
 1. A handpiece, comprising: a chamber having a powder and liquid, the handpiece capable of activating the chamber such that the powder and the liquid are mixed into a paste, The handpiece further being capable of dispensing the paste from the chamber.
 2. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the chamber is a capsule.
 3. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the mixing occurs through an ultrasonic vibration.
 4. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the mixing occurs through a planetary motion in the chamber.
 5. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the mixing occurs through an offset mixing chamber.
 6. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the handpiece is battery powered.
 7. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the chamber further comprising a radio frequency identification such that the chamber is read by the handpiece and the handpiece imparts the proper mixing sequence for that a product.
 8. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the handpiece further includes a vacuum.
 9. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the chamber has internal mixing elements that rotate and reciprocate to mix the powder and liquid.
 10. The handpiece of claim 9, wherein the internal mixing elements can fold flat against an end wall during extrusion.
 11. The handpiece of claim 9, wherein the internal mixing elements are parallel to an axis of the chamber and rotate about an axis against an outer side wall of the chamber, and a liquid cup pushes past the internal mixing elements to extrude the paste.
 12. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein pressure is relieved during an intermediate pausing of dispensing by backing up pistons a small amount to reduce oozing of the paste during such a pause.
 13. The handpiece of claim 1, the handpiece further comprising a current limit sensor that reduces the motor speed and the dispensing rate to compensate for thick pastes.
 14. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the handpiece is capable of automatically retracting plungers and unlocking the chamber after all of the paste has been dispensed so that the chamber can be unloaded.
 15. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein a spring loaded cam on a front face supporting the chamber so that the when the chamber is rotated the spring loaded cam imparts a rapid back and forth vibration to the chamber such that mixing of the powder and liquid into the paste occurs.
 16. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the chamber includes the liquid in a hollow section of an internal shaft holding for mixing that also supports internal mixing elements.
 17. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises a donut-shaped liquid cup that has a central bearing through which the mixing shaft and internal mixing elements are supported.
 18. The handpiece of claim 1, further comprising internal mixing elements that are perforated disks that rotate and reciprocate back and forth to mix the liquid and the powder together.
 19. The handpiece of claim 1, further comprising two disks that rotate relative to one another to open and close holes that when in the open position are for mixing the paste and when in the closed position facilitate the paste extrusion.
 20. A dental material applicator system, comprising: a segmented capsule having a powder and a liquid, a handpiece, wherein the handpiece is capable of being triggered in order for the capsule to be activated such that the powder and the liquid are mixed into a paste, and wherein the mixed paste is extruded from the handpiece. 